By Leean Lester
Have you ever considered being a reader at a psychic fair, but you’re not sure how to get started? This month, I thought I would touch base on festival tips & suggestions. I will talk about how to locate your shows, and I’ll also share some important information that might help handle any issues that come up.
How to find shows and festivals
There are lots of ways to track down this information. You can contact your local chamber of commerce, look in local newspapers, search online for festivals and events in your area, check local metaphysical shops for flyers, or simply ask around. Check chat rooms, groups, and events listings for leads on festivals. Witchvox.com has extensive listings of pagan events and other resources, and craigslist.org has events listings you can search by location and other specifications. If you live in the Northwestern U.S., an annual book called Gail’s Guides: The wonderful Washington State Events Guide is useful. These are just a few ideas to get you started. When searching for the right festival, keep in mind the type of crowd you would like to work with, and the atmosphere you would like to work in. Prices for booth rental can be pretty high at some events. If you want to cut costs, you might want to think about sharing a space with other readers or vendors. If the space is 10 X 10 (standard festival size), at least 2 to 3 people can work the space, depending on their set-up and the show restrictions.
Equipment
The things you might want or need depend on the place you’re doing the show. If outdoors, you may need a canopy. You’ll also need a nice folding card table, available at office supply stores or local discount stores. You might want to carry another small table, as this provides a good place to put your flyers and other promotional materials. You’ll also need folding chairs (at least three: one for you and two for your clients), business cards, and business flyers. A cover for the table, and curtains or tapestries to hang on the sides, provide nice décor that helps draw attention. Medium-sized signage is also helpful.
I highly recommend you carry a copy of the festival/show vendor agreement form in case there are any issues or questions. This form contains important information like dates, time, location, contact person, etc.
You might also want to bring something with you to serve as a makeshift desk. I have a small 3-drawer plastic storage container that I use as a portable desk to hold items that I may need. In it, you’ll find pens, pencils, markers, tape, scissors, hand lotion, tissues, chewing gum; anything you might think of that would be useful. I also carry some tools like a hammer and pliers, just in case. If you’re doing psychic readings, a timer can be very helpful. Another handy item to have is a small extension cord; a 3 ft or 6 ft cord works nicely. Be aware that some shows charge for electricity.
Tracking your outcome & money
I have a lot of forms that I use to help me track information about festivals, my clients, and the money I make. I have designed these forms to suit my needs; they are quick and easy to use. I can go back several years and look up information on any show I may have done and tell you what I made, what my expenses were, etc. These forms are very useful at the end of the year, and especially at tax times. (Anyone that would like any of these forms, just email me and put “ATA forms requested” in the subject line. Please tell me if you would like forms for financial tracking, client information, or show tracking information.
I have done shows of all kinds, from street fairs as a professional clown and face painter, to psychic fairs. I started doing shows around 1990, and I’ve been doing them ever since. I do have a few regulars that I do, The Washington Renaissance and Fantasy Faire and The Boeing Psychic Fair. I also belong to a local psychic co-op that does about 4 shows a month.
So as you can see, it does take work to tackle the festival circuit, but the reward is worth it in the end. You may have helped someone, or made new business contacts. Maybe you came across information on another show, or found out something that may be of use down the road. In my experiences, I have found that you need to enjoy what you’re doing, or it’s not worth it, no matter how much money you might make.
Many blessings to you and yours,
The Palmistry Lady
Leean Lester
www.thepalmistrylady.com